6 Ways to Support Women All Year Long, Because Women’s History is about more than a month
March is officially known as Women’s History Month and we’ve loved seeing women honored, important stories told, and call-outs happening all month long.
At Kurandza, we believe that women should be celebrated, lifted up, and given equal opportunities all year long. As March 2021 comes to a close, we’re excited to keep the momentum going with 6 ways to support the women in your life (and women around the world) during Women’s History Month and beyond. A month of raising awareness, much like our own #IStandForGirls campaign that happens every September, is so important, but the real work happens the rest of the year through our day-to-day actions and habits.
Which of the 6 ways to support women all year long detailed below resonates most with you? We encourage you to set goals for yourself, your family, and your business, and keep them going all year long. Only then will we see real, lasting change happen for women around the world.
1. Send love to the women who inspire you in real life
The easiest way to support women is to start with the ones you know and love already. If you’re lucky enough to have a group of inspiring women lifting you up, let them know how much their support means. Do you know someone via social media or maybe a woman who inspired you as a child or in your career? Send them a quick note letting them know the impact they’ve had on your life. Chances are, they don’t even know how much their actions have meant to you.
2. Set up recurring donations to organizations run by women and supporting women around the world
Recurring donations are a simple (and oftentimes more affordable) way to support women CEOs and women-led organizations. If making large-sum donations isn’t do-able, setting up recurring donations or sponsorships (like sponsoring a girl's education through Kurandza!) is just as impactful. Usually, all that’s needed is your monthly coffee budget or less! Similarly, many thought-leaders, activists, and creatives have ways to support their work through platforms like Patreon where you can support them for only a few dollars a month. These donations allow organizations both big and small to continue their important work of empowering women and girls all over the world.
3. Have conversations with your friends and family that uplift and support women
Words matter. If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that the words we say to each other in person, online, and even to ourselves internally matter deeply. A very simple way to support the women in your life is to have intentional conversations with your friends and family that lift women up and hold them on equal footing with their peers is a way to be supportive in your day-to-day life. You might not realize the impact your words have on others, but setting a positive example through your speech for your friends, colleagues, children, and social network is a powerful way to make a difference. In the inevitable conversations when you hear phrases that aren’t uplifting towards women, you have the power to rework them and shift the conversation in a positive way.
4. Shop from women-led businesses locally and online
We always say voting with your dollar is the most impactful way to make a difference and it’s certainly true for women-owned companies. Opting to support a smaller, women-led business in your city or from your online community rather than a larger corporation means more than you might realize. Through something as simple as where you choose to buy coffee or groceries or clothing, you cast a vote for the kind of businesses you want to see more of in the world. You know the phrase that when you shop from a small business, someone does a happy dance? It’s 100% true. If that someone is a woman, even better!
5. Inform yourself on women’s issues around the world
Through trusted news outlets, books by women authors, and following reliable sources and educators online, you can stay up to date on things like women’s rights, fair working conditions, equal access to education, and other issues affecting women worldwide. When you’re better informed, you’re empowered to make choices that affect women long-term, like elect officials who will help women, advocate and invest in women during times of crisis, and pass on your knowledge to others.
6. Invest in girls’ education
We’ve said it before, but we’ll continue to shout the importance of girls’ education from the proverbial rooftops. When a girl has access to education, she is more likely to hold jobs that value her safety, get paid a living wage, establish relationships with people who value her and make choices for her future that get her where she deserves to be. Education is truly one of the most essential building blocks for women empowerment and millions of girls around the world are without access to even an early level education.
Our work in Mozambique is just one example of ways to support the education of girls around the world. Would you consider joining us? Your support allows us to build a safer future for our girls and the women they’ll become as they grow up.
Click here to hear more about sponsoring a girl’s education or becoming a member of the Giveback Collective!
As Women’s History Month winds down, we’re excited to continue supporting women all year long. What ways will you do the same? Leave a comment below to let us know!